What's in YOUR pumpkin?

I've sort of learned that there are two kinds of folks when it comes to Halloween,

1. You buy candy that you like so if you get no trick-or-treaters, you have a little treat for yourself, or
   
2. You buy candy that you don't like so you aren't tempted to eat it all.
   

And while all those people at Weight Watchers are cheering you on for choice #2, you gotta realize that the candy you don't like is also the candy the kids don't like either. It's a lose-lose situation--unless, of course, you are the bad candy makers themselves.

I used to love sitting in those WW meetings, listening to all the old ladies bragging on how they bought Crappy Cardboard or Icky Bars so that they wouldn't be tempted to dig in before the kids, and all I kept thinking was "Yeah, but the kids are just throwing that crap out". I may have even said it one or two times--you know me.

And to those weight-conscience folks who give out pencils, stickers, or pennies--that stuff gets tossed too. Kids want candy, folks--and the good kind. If you are in any doubt on what the "good" kind is--ask any kid in the store, they'll tell you.

Or you can ask me. I happen to have many years of experience digging through my kids' Halloween bucket.

If you want something done right......

Every year, some Band Parent videos the season's performance and puts it on YouTube for the kids and parents to see--it's kind of a posterity thing. But this year, for some reason, nobody did it and it sort of bugged me--so I decided to video it myself.

Now, I'm just gonna go on record in saying that I hate videotaping things because I miss out on the actual event, but I stepped it up....for the kids.

So, there I am, at the game with my video recorder, tripod, coat, blanket, and my cool cushion for my butt--loaded down like a freaking pack mule, and I wait for half-time to come. And I wait. and wait. and wait. And I finally come to the conclusion that I really, really hate football--it is really boring and I hate sitting there waiting for half-time. Thank goodness I had my friend, Karen, and her daughter, Sarah, there to wait with me and make me laugh.

Anywho, while I grow tired of waiting, I keep asking Joe where I should videotape. We sort of sit to one side of the stadium and that is not a prime videotaping spot by any means--you gotta be on the 50 yard line if you want to get the whole band. So, I'm debating this whole issue on where I should videotape and when should I go to my ideal spot--but Joe doesn't really care. Figures. He just wants to watch the game and doesn't really care about things like half-time and videotaping. He gets like that when he's watching sports. Sheesh.

So, I'm sitting there, waiting for my big moment and then there is like 3 minutes on the clock--which is my cue to move towards the press box for ideal videotaping.

And when I get there, I end up talking to the folks up there and much to Joe's surprise.....

I end up on the TOP of the press box!!

Not kidding. I set up my lame-ass tripod and outdated camera and proceed to wave to my family and friends like I'm the Queen of England--if she ever stood on top of a press box. I was so scared up there that I could hardly see, but I've got some full-field shots of the band. Okay, so I'm so high up that the band looks like ants---but, I've got the shot!

So, here is my pathetic attempt of capturing the Marching Astros.

Pour yourself another cup of coffee and stick it out until the last 2 minutes--it gets really good at that point--even for you non-marching fans. And oh--Em is one of the 6 featured rifles spinners, just in case you were looking for her.




Do you people realize how high it is to be on TOP of the press box?

I Love Hobbes Thursday

There's nobody here but us stripes.

What I love about Hobbes is his complete insistence that he is invisible when he is out in the yard. What part of ottoman-size makes this cat think that nobody sees him? He's not only extra-large, but he is also orange.

Sigh.

I like his Positive Polly attitude--I am what I think I am. We should all be so delightfully naive.

Target.Com SUCKS!

If I have my way, somebody over at Target.com is gonna get a new butt hole.

I stopped over at my pally Helene's blog yesterday, and whew! girlfriend drilled into some folks who needed it apparently. And while I was reading, I kinda slinked down, tip-toed backwards, quietly shut the door behind me and I left Helene to her drillin'. And while I snickered at her evil get-even, I found myself doing the same plotting and planning against my own arch nemesis--Target.com.

FYI--Target.com SUCKS. Big time.

Do not ever order anything from them--well, unless if you don't care if you ever get the item or anything. Or if you don't mind being really, really embarrassed to the couple who foolishly registered on their Club Wed Registry. Man, Target could mess up a one car funeral.

Here's the Reader's Digest version which does not include them hanging up on me like a thousand times:

I placed an order for two items on this couple's registry. One of the items was shipped out and I was told the other item would be shipped separately. Ding! (That's the P.O.'d bell going off in my head) No, the items could not be gift wrapped and NO, you cannot send a gift card if there is no gift wrapping. Ding! I'm still wondering if the Bride and Groom even know it is from me.

Then I receive an email stating that the second item is on back-order. Ding!

And I keep getting bi-weekly emails telling me that this item is STILL on back-order for SIX WEEKS NOW! Ding! Ding! Ding!

I finally had enough and called them to cancel my back-order and they claim that they cannot do that. I can only refuse the shipment or return it for a refund when I receive it. Problem is....it is a GIFT and I am NOT THE ONE RECEIVING THE ITEM. But does Targetsucks.com understand that? Nope. And why? Because their freaking customer service is in the Philippines.

Not at Filipino people aren't nice and all that--it's just that nobody can understand the whole GIFT concept and that a split-up gift, 6 weeks in the waiting and still holding is freaking embarrassing and I'm really, really mad about this. Just cancel my freaking order!!!!

And what to do? I dunno. I've tried calling my credit card company and the only recourse is to cancel that credit card and get a new one. Ugh. Really?

Any suggestions, pallies?? I've tried calling and emailing customer service--all with the same result. I even called the corporate office in Minnesota--same result. In fact, at one point they transferred me to the number in the Philippines!

I'm freaking held hostage by those idiots at Target.com--which SUCKS, by the way. (Have I mentioned that?)

Soooo, I'm pulling a "Helene"--I am soooo gonna post Target.com SUCKS like a cabillion times so that when folks start Googling Target.com--they are gonna get this wacky dame at the Duck and Wheel ranting about some lame-ass wedding gift that never came.

That'll show 'em.

Thanks for the idea, Helene.


*Oh, I'll post another, happier post after this, so keep scrolling down. We can't have all this unhappiness here.

What I Am

pee wee introduced me to this:

What I am is: grouchy.

I like that part. Rarely do you hear a happy song about being grouchy.

Jodi reports in....

Do you know what the Duck and Wheel has that the other blogs don't have?

Jodi, The Roving Reporter.

Yep. Our pally Jodi is always thinking of ways to entertain you all, even when she has a perfectly entertaining blog of her own. That's how giving she is. And I like that about her.

So, this week, while we were all making up excuses for Hobbes and why he is not really a mouse killer (but we secretly know that he is), Jodi went out and found a blogger who loves that killer instinct in a cat. Go here and see the Ode to a Killer. I'll wait for you to come back.

(whistling)

See? That nice lady thinks it is super that this kitty has a mouse dangling from its mouth. Me? Not so much. Because I know that the kitty is bringing his mousie home for his mother to clean up. And that is not so nice. I'm getting a little tired of walking out into the yard and nearly stepping on some poor wee thing that I'm thinking is dead from a heart attack, but Sharky tells me is probably more like internal injuries. Sigh. That just makes me feel bad.

And sorta queasy.

I am tired of mouse carcasses, Hobbes. Please leave the mice where you found them. Thank you.

And thank you, Jodi, for always thinking of the pallies here at the Duck and Wheel. Go forth and find more stories for us!!

Potpourri of Me

Random thoughts on for a Monday morn:

1. Oooh, the colors are just lovely this weekend. I had to post a tree photo for the pallies who live in places where the colors don't change. It may be lovely where you live in January, but gees, you are missing out on some pretty NOW.

2. I can't drink like I used to. Dang, if I'm not feeling like crap today after the band parent party last night. But I'm thinking that stomachache is more from laughing than drinking. Those folks are some hilarious people.

3. I think the band parents are just on this side of being ba(n)d parents. Not that we are not good to the kids, it's just that I think we could get into trouble together with a little encouragement. Fun kind of trouble, of course.

4. Somebody remind me come spring that I have 6-7 frogs in the pond this fall. I always forget that when I'm doing a frog check in the spring. And I'm sort of iffy on the exact number as I saw one hooligan making a break for it under the neighbor's fence yesterday. I'm not sure if he got smart and came back or not.

5. Dang, if it isn't 70 degrees here today. Two weeks ago we were freezing.

6. If Hobbes brings home one more dead mouse......

7. I feel like a criminal in my own home these days--I hunker down when I see the politicians knocking on my door so they don't see me not answering. Same with the phone--thank god for caller I.D.

8. Don't EVER use Target's wedding registry. Criminy, I ordered a couple of things and they a) wouldn't gift wrap, and so, no gift card b) shipped the items separately c) keep sending me emails telling me one item is back-ordered for 6 WEEKS! d) refuse to cancel the back-ordered item e) customer service is in the Philippines and f) are just totally infuriating me. Thank god I don't really give a hoot about this bride and groom.

9) As much as I love marching season, I really, really needed a break from those bleachers.

10) I'll say it again, Jim and Irene save me at work. Only those two would crack up with me about the measly raise I got and calculate it out to the yearly total ($176.85) to make me feel better. Yeah/no. But at least I got one. Salaried employees are still waiting to hear if they are on year 3 of no raise.

11) I really hate Mondays. Friday just seems so darn far away.

Another year gone by.........

I've got nothin' for you today, pallies. The cow is dry. I'm tired from marching season and my brain is fried.

We are recovering from our last football game and heading into our End-O-the-Season party over at the SuperFan's house. We are packing up the drum boxes and washing the colorguard uniforms. Uniforms are being sent to the cleaners and the concert band tuxedos are being dusted off. We've hugged our Senior band parents good-bye and anointed a new SuperFan--I guess it is officially done for another year.

Commence melancholy.

Real Men Wear Pink

When I met up with A. Marie last weekend, she asked about Hobbes (of course) and I had to trash-talk my stripey goodness for a bit. See, homeboy came home a few weeks ago without his snappy new peace collar that I had just bought him. And being that those things are like $6 - $9 a crack, I was not very happy about it.

He came home, jumping over the fence from the neighbor's house, but this time he did not make that little jingly sound like he usually does. Hmmmmm. So, I go over to see, and sure enough, Hobbes lost his almost-brand new, very expensive, uber-cool collar. Sigh. Like my budget allows for fancy collars every month?! I think not.

I read him the riot act, yelling and screaming and demanding that he go over and find it--but he just meandered over to his food bowl like this was everyday conversation with mom. Crap. Even the cat ignores my rants.

And being that this was having absolutely no effect on that darn cat, I played my trump card--I dug in the drawer and pulled out one of our old collars that we had lying around. Okay, so it was Grace's old collar and it had lots of pink on it. (Note: CardioGirl was the only one of you who caught his pink collar in the photos lately)

I snapped that bad boy around his neck and snarled at him in my best "disappointed mother" voice, "There. Now you have to wear a girly collar. AND I'm gonna tell Matt Cabel that you are wearing a girly collar too." That showed him.

Damn, if that cat doesn't wear his pink proudly. Sigh.

I can't win.

I Love Hobbes Thursday - Mouse Hunt

Well, I finally found someone who doesn't love Hobbes as much as we do. Sadly, I think this poor little mouse died of a mouse heart-attack as this little body had no physical damage as far as I could tell.

Hobbes is off on adventures these days--hanging out in the neighbors weed-infested yard. Apparently it is mouse-infested as well, as this is the second friend Hobbes has brought home after spending a few hours over there.

And while it's great kitty fun, it isn't so popular with the family. It's never a good sign when you hear the warning call "Don't kiss Hobbes on the lips!"--which loosely translates to "Hobbes caught another mouse".

Does he eat them? Nope. He has too many yummy things to eat in his own house, but it is the adventure he seeks. And skill--homeboy not only caught his prey, but he scaled the fence with it in his mouth as well. Amazing the talents he has, isn't it?

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Joe likes to help me fill the pond on occasion.

Thanks, Joe.

Call me sophomoric, but this cracked me up the other day. And Joe thought he was pretty funny himself.

Maggie and the Cow Candle

Our final marching competition landed, unfortunately, on Sweetest Day. Not that it mattered to most of us, but that didn't stop those love birds, Maggie and Ed, from celebrating.

They pulled up their van to where we were tailgating with the band kids, and Ed opened up the back to start setting up. He pulled out a card table, flowery tablecloth, two comfy folding chairs, and placed the cow candle in the center of the table as his centerpiece.

And while the rest of us just stood and watched, Ed presented Maggie with their table-for-two and his version of Sweetest Day Dinner--even if it was in the parking lot of the University of Illinois stadium. Maggie and Ed went on with their boxed dinner like the rest of us, except theirs was more like fine dining.

I'm not sure what was with the damn cow candle, but it had me cracking up.

"Light the cow, Maggie!" I kept screaming. And we tried, but the wind was working against us and the darn cow just wouldn't light. Damn! So much for ambiance. It was still cute though, that stupid cow candle.

There is just something about Maggie and Ed--there is this unspoken love for each other that is so very apparent to the rest of us. They aren't sappy or overly affectionate--they are just sweet to each other, doing little things like setting out the table and chairs for your best gal.

And while Joe and I love each other, we aren't like that. And for the most part, that is fine with me, but dang it--I was jealous of that darn Maggie's cow candle.

Hangin' with A. Marie

You know what makes a marching band competition even better than it already is? A visit with one of your blog pallies!! And I did just that on Saturday down at the University of Illinois Marching Band competition--I met up with one of my favorite, Hobbes-lovin' pallies, A. Marie!

This is me in my snappy Shepard-wear and A. Marie--isn't she cute?

The only thing cuter than A. Marie is her family. Girlfriend brought the whole gang over to meet me, including her husband, very tolerant son, and her absolutely adorable daughter. We chatted, compared notes on blogs and bloggers, and then had to take a bunch of photos. Oh, and somewhere in there we managed to talk some marching band-talk as well.

When I was waiting for A. Marie to meet me, I was hanging out in the concourse of the stadium talking to my band parent friend, Paul. We were shooting the breeze when A. Marie came up and I introduced him to my blog pally. It's odd, this blog pally thing, because we have this whole other life that we bloggers lead outside our everyday lives. I'm not sure Paul knew that I blogged, but he does now.

Later, Paul asked me who A. Marie was and why does she love my cat so much--which made me laugh. See--non-bloggers don't get this, do they? They don't get what we do, how we do it, or why we do it. Personally, I don't get why they don't blog.

After the loss of Margie and Bruce this weekend (see yesterday's post), I began to really think about our online friendships. Very different from Facebook or online chat rooms, blogging really lets us express who we are---deep down inside. Rarely do we disclose our true identities, but think nothing of sharing our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

We have the ability to post photos to accompany our words in order to complete our message. We have editing options and post-dating of the written word--just in case we chicken out or change what we want to say. We also have linking ability in case we have found someone else who conveys what we want to say, feel what we feel, or maybe just cracks us up that day.

Blogging is this incredible world of people who share--maybe too little or maybe too much, but we SHARE. And while we let the world in on our lives or adventures (boring as they may be), we put ourselves out there on that rickety limb of doom, as I like to call it. Folks have the option of commenting, joining in the fun, or perhaps drilling you a new one when they read your blog, and they usually do because they know we love those comments.

I got this from another blogger, but I think Margie's message was to live each day the way you want, to take a chance, explore, and most of all....enjoy. I am sorry to hear that Margie and Bruce have been silenced in the blog world for I will miss their photos and tales of adventures, but I am grateful for her message.

So, yes, Paul, I do blog. I love that I have friends like A. Marie who find me in the crowd of thousands to giggle over my cat with me. And I can't imagine my life without them and the joy they bring me.

To A. Marie--I hope you and Jamie aren't fighting over that Hobbes' picture!

Prayers for Bruce and Margie

Pallies, we've lost one of our very best. Bruce and Margie of Bruce and Margie's Full Time Journey were horrifically run over by a car and killed yesterday on one of their many walks they took together. Please go visit their blog today and send their family your love. And while you are at it, say a little prayer for their little dog, Annie.


Love you, Bruce and Margie.

6:00 A.M. Comes Pretty Darn Early

Today is our final marching competition and it's hard to believe it's over already. The kids are exhausted from back-to-back football games and marching contests and it is starting to show. Nerves are a little frazzled, the kids are ready to get some rest, and everyone is getting a tad grumpy. Add in that the nighttime temps are really dropping and we are all but frozen sitting out there in the cold.

Being that our competition is held at the University of Illinois, 2 hours away from here, Colorguard Breakfast is being served at the wee small hour of 6 a.m. which is gonna be brutal. The only consolation is that I've got that 2 hour drive to check out the back of my eyelids, so I've got that going for me.

In the mix of today's events, I'm finally meeting up with our dear pally, A.Marie. I can't wait to finally meet in person one of Hobbes' biggest fans. And while she is gonna be sorely disappointed that I didn't drag his stripey butt with me, I think it will still be nice to share a laugh or two. Heck, I may even bring my camera to record the moment.

So, while I'm excited for the contest today, I'm going to be really sad to see it end. As usual, it's been a blast and the band parents have been incredibly fun. It's just this wonderful time of year when we all come together in the name of music, marching, and some great kids. I'm not sure I've ever had so much fun in anything my kids have belonged to.

And so, we begin the end....

Damn Stars

Every so often, the stars seem to align (or not) and it seems everything I say and do just seems to agitate the people I come in contact with. Whether I mean it or not, the simplest of interactions can burst into flames in mere seconds, and my words, well, let's just say they don't help matters much.

I'm in such a funk these days and it feels like I'm annoying everyone. Joe says I'm not, but it sure feels that way sometimes. These are the days when I just realize that whatever vibes I'm putting out to the world are funky and messed up and the only solution is to hunker down.

And while I can take blame for how I choose to react to the weirdness that is circling me, why is it that the rest of the world can't spot that damn cloud over my head? Sheesh. Nearly everywhere I go, I encounter some frustration.

Hobbes must have sensed my off-kilter vibes as he climbed on my blanketed self on the couch last night. He lay on top me and spread out to sleep, forcing me to lie still and prone to the stars that betray me. I'm not sure it cured me, but it sure was nice to have a non-disastrous hour in my day.

You know that saying "This too shall pass"? Yeah, well I hope it does. And quickly.

I Love Hobbes Thursday - Watching Leaves

It was in October when we adopted Hobbes (October 10th, to be exact) and the leaves were dropping. And while I viewed the falling leaves as tears for our sweet Henry, the kitty we just lost, Hobbes viewed them as adventure. It's funny how perspective can be so radically different, isn't it?

I don't think Hobbes had a backyard as a baby because he wallowed in the dance of autumn, chasing every single leaf that fell with reckless abandon. He was hilarious wrestling this leaf or that to the ground--like it wasn't gonna get there on its own. He'd run from one end of the yard to the other, sneaking up on the browns or the reds, attacking each like it was his enemy.

Hobbes still likes the leaves....and the yard. He spends every available moment out there now, exhausting himself chasing after the leaves. He moves a bit slower now that he's added like 45 pounds or so--but he still has the want. He'll sit for hours under that tree--daring those leaves to fall anywhere near him.

He was under that tree when I captured this photo--him giving those leaves the stink-eye. And it seems like yesterday that he was that little kitten. He still is, I guess--it's just under all those stripes.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

Flat Stanley on Campus

Col says he sees lots of frogs and toads on campus. Funny how this is the only one I saw.

Bummer.

And when I pointed it out in the parking lot, Em starts yelling "Gees, Mom! How do you even know what that is?!".

I know. I just know.

Of Sasquatch and Pumpkins

Madness ensues as the marching season.....well....marches on.

Saturday brought us a fab performance and a second place finish overall. Personally, I think we got gypped, but I guess the judges know better than I. Colorguard scored another first place win along with Best General Effect. The Marching Astros also tied for first place for our percussion, so I think we did pretty well. Still, that first place overall would have been sweet.

And while I complain of cold weather and freezing butts on metal bleachers, the weather this past weekend was in the 80's. Sitting out on a warm fall evening was wonderful, sure beats the heck out of stuffing your gloves with hand warmers just to preserve the digits. Now if we can just coax this warmth along for another week and our final contest.

Sunday brought us a road trip to visit Colin at school.

I didn't take too many photos on campus because I think that would just mortify the kid. This was bad enough as I hopped out of the car to snag the photo and Joe laid on the horn to draw attention to the loser with the camera. Yeah, thanks, Joe. And yes, the passing cars were all laughing at me. Whatever.

Monday morning led us to an honest-to-goodness pumpkin farm. I mean, we were handed clippers and everything to go out into the patch and actually snip our pumpkin off the vine! Okay, so this is big for city folk--we usually just go to the garden center or the roadside stand to claim our already-been-picked pumpkin.

Who knew we'd have a Sasquatch siting as well?

Sigh. My family is freaking embarrassing.

Well, except for this one. Em looked kinda cute posing with her white pumpkin while ignoring the blurry Sasquatch walking the perimeter of the pumpkin patch.

Colin is doing on well on campus and adjusting to college life well. It was nice to see him in action, meet his friends, and to see where he lives now. Yes, I scrubbed their bathroom before I left--a mom's gotta be a mom still, you know? But it wasn't really necessary--he's made me proud, garnering the title of the suite's Clean Guy. Who would have thought that all my nagging has actually sunk in?

I'm exhausted, but happy. Good weekend and now.... a short week ahead.

Gone 'Splorin'

In honor of Christopher Columbus, I'm taking a day or two to go 'splorin. I love being outdoors in the fall, so I'm gonna go get my hands dirty and dig around the garden, move some plants around, and ready the yard for winter. As sad as I am for everything to look so darn barren, I like the idea of "tucking in" the yard for a long winter's nap.

The pond has a few more weeks yet to keep running. I'm not ready to turn that waterfall off yet nor say goodnight to my frog friends. I don't think they are ready either, as they are warming themselves in every available sunbeam before the really cold blows in. It's a love/hate kinda thing with fall--I love fall, but I really dread the impending winter.

Happy Columbus Day, pallies. May this holiday find you exploring your own surroundings. Go outside and see the colors change. Enjoy the falling leaves and crisp apples that are so bountiful this time of year. Embrace the earth and breathe deep the sweet smells of autumn.

Spinning Tales

Another Saturday, another competition, and yes, another Colorguard Breakfast. This week we were missing a few gals as sleep apparently won over their stomachs. It's a long day ahead and they are already exhausted from last night's football game and the cumulative effect from many weeks of competing.

I'm actually looking forward to sitting out tonight as the temps are hovering around 80 degrees, believe it or not. Wasn't it just last week that we had winter coats on?? I love the variety of weather this time of year--it's sort of a potpourri of all four seasons at any given time. I don't think we've had snow yet, but you never know.

It's funny how crazy this time of year gets for us. I literally take Fridays off of work to prepare for the weekend. How nuts is that when you have more work to do at home than you do at work? Sigh. But as harried and busy marching season is, we spend the rest of the year waiting for the next one to come. It's very difficult to explain to those who have never done this. It is a lot of work, but a lot of fun as well.

Off I go---taking a nap at 9:30 a.m. to prepare for the competition ahead. Awards aren't scheduled until 9:30 tonight. I'm hoping we bring home a few trophies to put some icing on this here cake.

It's change for all of us

It's hard when Colin comes home now. He's doing his own thing on campus three hours from here and we are going on with life as usual at home--without him. It's tough to connect right away, and we all need a few hours to adjust to be parent/kid again. I get it, I used to go through this when I went home from college many moons ago.

I try not to ask too many questions right away, but I long to know about his new life as a college student. I do the typical "How are your classes?", "How is work?", "How is your roommate?"--but those are just met with eye rolls and grunts as his response. But I'm not sure how to get him to open up without asking questions. Mix that in with his natural reaction of "How did I stand these people before?" and we've got an adjustment period.

Last weekend, we were running with band competitions and he was off with his friends. I think there was a total of 3 hours that we were actually together the whole weekend, so I was working on catching up with sonny boy. We did a little chit-chatting over dueling computers and finally he starting talking about a project that he was working on with a friend.

Bingo.

He told me all about the project and how they had to work together to do some computer programming or something. They were both stymied and grew frustrated, to which Col said "He's such a fetus." Hmmmmm. That's a new one.

Okay, so honestly, I try to stay hip with the lingo and the tunes. I actually know some of the cool songs and can sing a line or two....correctly--which is like 10 steps past Joe in this parenting gig. Both kids keep me abreast of what words mean these days, but I haven't heard this one used as a slam.

So, he keeps talking about how they kept working but the other kid just wanted to give up. Colin kept pushing him, trying this method and that, encouraging him to keep going so that they would get a good grade. Apparently the kid wanted to just give up on the project and that frustrated Colin to no end.

I understood the story, but I didn't get the fetus connection and I had to ask.

"Col? Uh.....how come he's a 'fetus'? Is he acting like a baby or something? I mean, I don't get the term...."

To which he answers,

"DEFEATIST, Mom. I said he was a 'DEFEATIST'!"

Oh.

(and I channel Emily Litella) Well, that's very different. Never mind.

So much for connecting.

I Love Hobbes Thursday

So, I finally figured out why my clothes were covered in orange stripey fur.

Now if I can only figure out how to fit in there--wouldn't it be nice to escape the world Hobbes-style?? I'm telling you, when it comes to living the good life, Hobbes has it figured out.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday - Personal Space

Every morning on my way to work, I see these wacky pigeons hanging out, warming themselves on the streetlights. As they line up just so, perfectly spaced evenly apart, nobody touching anybody else, they make me laugh. Who knew personal space is a big deal with the pigeon set?!

Driving always frustrates me as I see so many great photo ops that I can't take advantage of. I'm not sure why I feel that actually driving the car is my first priority--nobody else seems to do that. You wouldn't believe the amount of folks driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic reading, eating, texting, talking on the phone, putting on make-up, etc. Sheesh.

Anywho, I finally succumbed at the stoplight the other day, grabbed my cell phone and took this shot. I love those wacky birds and I don't care if the car next to me wondered what I was taking a shot of, I was gonna get that photo. Okay, it's not great quality, but the subject is funny. I mean, who decides what personal space is for birds anyway? Apparently, it's like 3 inches.

Now if I can subtly get the dude picking his nose....

My pally, Henry

I'm sure everyone knows by now that October is Breast Cancer Awareness, right? I mean, I've got my mammogram scheduled for today after work (ouch) and you see those pink ribbons everywhere. They've been very successful in getting that message across.

But did you know it is also Down Syndrome Awareness Month as well?? My pally, Christy at Motherhood Unscripted writes about it and I encourage you to visit her blog as she posts about her son, Henry, for the month of October. I hope this message of understanding and compassion for those with Down's Syndrome also gets the exposure it deserves.

Christy has 4 children, one being Henry, her son with Down's Syndrome. He is absolutely adorable, but he also goes through the trials and tribulations of childhood like every other kid. The only difference is that Henry sometimes does things differently or perhaps catches on a bit slower. Christy writes a beautifully honest blog about her family and focuses on every family member, not just Henry.

When I was growing up, my mom was part of a small group of people who brought religious education to the mentally handicapped kids in our community. I was fortunate to grow up knowing this group of special kids, sharing and talking about God, while learning what being mentally handicapped means. I saw first hand the kindness and love that they share and how awful unknowing people can be.

Our home was open to the likes of Jerry and Frank, two of the sweetest guys ever--who permanently remain in my heart. And one night, when asked to say a prayer to God, Frank prayed that when he and Jerry got to heaven, he wanted God to make Jerry's legs straight again. You see, Jerry was crippled and Frank wanted to make sure Jerry could walk with him in heaven.

I was forever touched by that experience and so I have this special place in my heart for little Henry. I love to read about his adventures--good, bad, and indifferent, because I know that each milestone is a mountain that he has climbed and how incredibly patient and loving his family is.

One of my very favorite photos is this one--it is Henry after dressing himself for the day. I love how this photo boasts of Henry's diligence in his job of getting dressed alone and his complete indifference to that challenge. He is a proud warrior, that Henry. And I love that he did his job and went on with the day.


It isn't how silly he looks that makes me smile--it is his pure determination that warms my heart. Do you know how freaking difficult this must have been to pull off???! Homeboy has some creative problem-solving skills.

Having Down's Syndrome doesn't mean that you are stupid or that you can't hear nasty comments said about you. It merely means that you have an extra chromosome that makes things just a tad harder. Or you just have to be a little more creative in how you tackle life.

Pass the word this October, pallies. Henry rocks!

Alligator Eyes

What's that saying about ducks? You know, the one where they look all calm and cool on the surface but they are paddling like fools underneath? Yeah/no. I'm not like a duck because I'm usually freaking out on the top AND the bottom. That's just me--love me or hate me.

It's funny, but the more I know my frogs, the more I realize that I'm like them. I ride the water lilies of life, hanging on for dear life, just trying to enjoy the warm sunshine every now and then. I find joy in the simple things and please, just leave me alone for the most part--I'm pretty happy just hanging out here in the sun. And fellow frogs--I'm only tolerant so far. Try to climb on my lily pad and get a little too close--odds are I may leap at ya.

My favorite thing about the frogs are the ability to hang out and just watch--for a long time. And then, when things get a little too loud or fussy, homegirl is outta there. I'd rather bail than deal. It's just me.......well, and the frogs.

Anywho, we had a great weekend.

Colin came home to visit, which was nice. I sure miss just hanging out and talking to him. It takes him a good day or so to re-acclimate and warm up again, but it happens--we end up having a nice chat over the computer or in the pop-tart aisle at Walmart. Those are my favorite times--when we just shoot the crap. Gees, I miss him sometimes--a lot of times, actually.

The Marching Astros placed second in their category on Saturday. We won captions for "Best Visual" and for Colorguard--Em and the girls were very excited for that. Joe and I are totally taking credit for that as we fed and watered 15 colorguard girls for breakfast at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday. Within an hour, it was done and they were heading out the door for rehearsal. I'm not kidding when I say that I took a nap at 9:30.

And while I love the activity of having Colin home, 15 girls nomming on Monkey Bread and pancakes, and 8 hours of Marching Band competition out in the cold, I'm tired. I bailed under the solace of pajama pants and the internet on Sunday, catching up on my blogroll and what you are all doing. It's good to be the frog every now and then--dunking my head under the rough waters and hiding out until the madness settles.

Now it's Monday and we start again.....

Gone Marching

Whew! What a week! And to top it off, we are spending the day in 50 degree weather sitting in bleachers. Ugh. Think of me when you are all snuggled in on your comfy couch tonight, will ya?

I'll be back visiting all of you on Sunday. Can't wait!

Fromage and Au Revoir

I think we spent the entire day taking photos at work yesterday.

So, my French intern pally from work is leaving for home today and I am very sad. Fun isn't really fun until you laugh with a french accent. Laura has a way of brightening up a day--stopping by my cubicle to talk of the latest shoe purchase or laugh about something silly with me and Irene. Gees, I'm gonna miss that chickie. Boo Hoo.

As a last minute effort to get her to stay, I figured out a plan for her to live here permanently. I'm nice like that--figuring out ways people can change their lives to make me happy.

I figured out that Jim could divorce/murder his wife, marry Laura and then he could brag to everyone about his young, French wife--his friends would be very jealous I think. She, on the other hand, would have the marriage to an American to get her green card AND she would have Jim as her husband--who just happens to have a boat-load of cash. Walah! See??! Perfect solution and I think that only took me like 3 minutes to set that up.

Personally, I think this is a win-win situation and I'm not sure why they balked. Laura said something about marrying for "love" and Jim was a bit uncomfortable about ditching his wife of 50 years. He said that wouldn't go over very big with her. Who cares???! Sheesh. Some people are never flexible.

I love my job for the new people I constantly meet. And while the hello's are a hoot, the good-byes are sometimes really hard. Losing Laura is one of the hard ones. I'm gonna miss that girl.

And I'll bet Jim kicks himself later for not going through with my plan--when he really thinks about it.